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Telling Your Employer About Your Diagnosis

AspieJimmy

I am currently in a job in Marketing/Media which has a lot of diversity and not a lot of routine to it which I started 3 months ago. After my opening 3 months which ended yesterday, I have been kept on probation. Before starting my job, I did not tell my employer that I have Asperger's Syndrome. I'm currently finding some new tasks difficult as I am slow in getting to grips with it and my bosses are getting a bit impatient with me.

Would you say I made a mistake in not telling my employer about my ASD or informing the HR department about it? I would link my problems at work to my disorder.

The reason I did not tell them to begin with is because I am worried about being judged or they may find negatives from my disability that they can use as an excuse to dismiss me.

I look forward to reading your advice. 

Parents

  • Hi. I would have liked to hear what your capacity is at work, and why you applied for the job. Clearly, it attracted you, but was it a particular role you were after, that is to say, did you match the job description with your particular talents? Or did you just need a job...

    My view would be different, depending on your circumstances. First, if it's a job you really want to do, then I'd disclose it to them. You're obviously having some difficulties, and if they know your condition and can make differences to your working life that help you to cope, well that's what they're supposed to do. There's the bonus that if this strategy works, you'll be more comfortable and more productive, hopefuly feel a better contributor (our different way of seeing things!) and the aim is for everyone to feel better about the situation.

    If, however, you are working to earn some dosh, then don't bother because your motivation isn't necessarily the best one, just look for another job. Sooner or later you are trying to fit in where you can't, just to pay the bills, but the personal price you'll pay could be very high, I think.

    It's difficult enough for us without unecessarily spreading such personal information to unreliable people. Also, as Longman spoke about in another related post, having had one unsuccessful AS person in their midst, there are employers and HR people who will use this as an unspoken excuse not to try another one...

    The decision to disclose or not can only be yours, and I'm sorry you have this dilemma. If only we could get them to understand how lucky they are to recruit and retain someone rare and special.

Reply

  • Hi. I would have liked to hear what your capacity is at work, and why you applied for the job. Clearly, it attracted you, but was it a particular role you were after, that is to say, did you match the job description with your particular talents? Or did you just need a job...

    My view would be different, depending on your circumstances. First, if it's a job you really want to do, then I'd disclose it to them. You're obviously having some difficulties, and if they know your condition and can make differences to your working life that help you to cope, well that's what they're supposed to do. There's the bonus that if this strategy works, you'll be more comfortable and more productive, hopefuly feel a better contributor (our different way of seeing things!) and the aim is for everyone to feel better about the situation.

    If, however, you are working to earn some dosh, then don't bother because your motivation isn't necessarily the best one, just look for another job. Sooner or later you are trying to fit in where you can't, just to pay the bills, but the personal price you'll pay could be very high, I think.

    It's difficult enough for us without unecessarily spreading such personal information to unreliable people. Also, as Longman spoke about in another related post, having had one unsuccessful AS person in their midst, there are employers and HR people who will use this as an unspoken excuse not to try another one...

    The decision to disclose or not can only be yours, and I'm sorry you have this dilemma. If only we could get them to understand how lucky they are to recruit and retain someone rare and special.

Children
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